Dental implant surgical guide

ABSTRACT

A prefabricated dental implant surgical guide. The implant surgical guide comprises a tooth shaped contour which simulates a natural tooth and the final prosthesis. The tooth shaped contours can be shaped to match any tooth found in the mouth. The system further comprises apical posts which protrude from the apical aspect of the tooth contour of the surgical guide. These apical posts are capable of marking an initial osteotomy site. The apical posts are further able to be placed in to an initial and developing osteotomy site to verify proper implant location, angulation and rotational position prior to implant placement. Significantly the apical post can be attached to the surgical guide and of a fixed length. The apical post can also be adjustable allowing continuous osteotomy site verification and removable allowing an implant surgical drill to pass thru it thereby allowing continuous osteotomy site development and verification. The system further comprises a coronal post aspect to position the surgical guide. The posts can be removed, the tooth contour aspect of the guide hollowed out and then relined and secured to the abutment aspect of an implant thereby functioning as a provisional crown or crowns. The prefabricated dental implant surgical guide can be used to place single implants or multiple side by side implants in a continuous fashion allowing verification of implant location, angulation and rotational position prior to implant placement leading to a more esthetic, functional and stable prosthesis.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) fromprovisional application No. 60/737,789 filed Nov. 17, 2005. The Ser. No.60/737,789 application is incorporated by reference herein, in itsentirety, for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

This application relates generally to oral implant surgery. Moreparticularly the present invention relates to a surgical guide to beused during dental implant surgery which is used to effect correctplacement of a dental implant.

In the healthy non-diseased mouth with natural teeth present, thereexists a biologic relationship between the root of a tooth, the crown ofa tooth, the bone surrounding the root and the gingiva (soft tissue)surrounding the bone, root and crown of a tooth. In nature, the shapeand contour that the gingiva or soft tissue assumes and follows isdictated by the underlying presence and shape of bone. The bone contoursaround a natural tooth are actually scalloped, with the bone more apicalon the facial and lingual aspects of the tooth and more coronal in theinter-proximal area (between the teeth). In a healthy mouth, thisscalloping effect is dictated by the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ) ofthe tooth which itself is also scalloped. It is this scalloping of thebony architecture which lends itself to the formation and maintenance ofproper gingival contours including the inter-dental papilla (the smalltriangular flesh portion adjacent the gum line and located between theteeth).

However, despite best efforts of a person, or because of lack of properdental care, it may become necessary to replace teeth completely. Inthese cases, dental implant procedures have proven to be an effectivemethod of restoring both form and function in patients having missingteeth. Implants provide a structure upon which a prosthetic tooth orteeth can be attached and secured in an otherwise edentulous (non-tooth)area. In contrast to using dentures or other tooth born fixed orremovable dental bridge systems, implants have the advantage ofmaintaining bone and not being subject to decay.

Bone support is necessary for proper placement, securement andmaintenance of a dental implant. Proper bone support around an implantis also necessary for the development and maintenance of healthygingival contours, including papilla. Bone growth around an implantfollows the shape of the bone-integrating part of the implant. A primaryconcern in implant dentistry is the precise placement of an implant inits proper location, with appropriate and accurate angulation androtational position at the time of implant placement surgery. Even theslightest error in implant placement can result in significantcomplications and or compromises in the stability of the implant, themaintenance of bone, the contours of the gingival tissues, placement ofthe final prosthesis, stability of the final prosthesis and the overallappearance of the patient's mouth.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a prefabricated dental implantsurgical guide which ensures the proper placement of a dental implant orimplants and its corresponding prosthesis (crown or crowns). Oneexemplary embodiment of the present invention allows it to be convertedfrom a surgical guide to a dental provisional crown which can then beused to help maintain the hard (bone) and soft (gingival) tissuearchitecture of the mouth during the healing phase of treatment, withthe end result being a final prosthesis that is stable, functional,natural looking and aesthetically pleasing in the patient's mouth.

For such applications, the prefabricated dental implant surgical guideof the present invention may be configured as a surgical guide with atooth-shaped configuration with a post affixed to its apical end, orwith a post as an integral part of the entire guide. This embodiment ofa dental implant surgical guide is placed into an initial osteotomy site(a surgical procedure in which bone is cut or prepared for the placementof a dental implant) at the time of dental implant placement surgery,but prior to final implant body placement, to ensure and or to correctproper location, angulation, and rotational position of an implant bodyprior to it's placement.

The present invention in various embodiments is a prefabricated dentalimplant placement surgical guide which, in one exemplary embodiment, hasa post affixed to the apical end of an anatomically correct tooth form.This tooth form can be made to represent any tooth in the mouth in orderto have accurate implant placement regarding the tooth to be replaced.

At the time of initial osteotomy site preparation, a small hole isprepared into the jaw bone using conventional dental implant surgicaldrills. The apical post of the surgical implant guide is inserted intothe osteotomy site allowing verification of proper implant placement inlocation, angulation, and rotational position prior to implant bodyplacement. This is accomplished by viewing the surgical guide in place,then comparing the tooth-contoured part of the surgical guide with somefacial and/or intra-oral guideline such as the adjacent teeth, gingiva,shape of the arch and lips etc. This allows for proper implant locationand ultimately placement to be verified or corrected prior to implantbody placement lending to a more stable, functional and estheticprosthetic outcome. The apical post of the surgical guide can repeatedlybe inserted into the osteotomy site, as the site is further developedand deepened to continuously verify proper position and location of theimplant body prior to its placement. This process of trying in thesurgical guide with further osteotomy site preparation is repeated untilthe appropriate final depth of the osteotomy site is achieved. Thus theprocess of the present invention provides for a verified correctposition, location and angulation of the osteotomy site, all prior tofinal implant body placement. If improper alignment is detected duringthis verification process, the osteotomy site location, angulation andposition can be corrected with minimal damage to the bone.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the prefabricated dentalimplant surgical guide can be converted into a provisional crown, aplurality of crowns, or a bridge. This is accomplished by removing thefinger grip and apical post, or guide post, hollowing out the toothcontour aspect of the guide, and relining the tooth contour aspect ofthe surgical guide, then reversibly fastening via screw or cement, thetooth contour aspect of the surgical guide to the abutment of an implantbody.

In yet another embodiment, the surgical guide comprises a set ofanatomically correct tooth forms each having an apical post and fingergrip. The apical posts are graduated in length thus constituting a setof surgical guides that are sequentially used as an osteotomy site iscreated and deepened. In this way the surgical guide set cansequentially provide guidance that the osteotomy site is being correctlyprepared.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the prefabricated dental implantsurgical guide comprises an anatomically correct tooth form having abore through the tooth form into which an adjustable and removable postis placed or threaded. The apical end of the post protrudes through thetooth form and can be lengthened by pushing or screwing the post throughthe bore. In this way the apical end is lengthened and can be placedinto the gradually deepening osteotomy site to insure that the site iscorrectly prepared. The post can also be removed and an osteotomy drillpassed thru the bore to allow for further preparation of the osteotomysite with the guide in place. In another embodiment of the presentinvention, a bottom face of the apical end of the movable post comprisesa marking agent. In this embodiment, the surgical guide is placed in adesired position on the jaw bone at a proposed osteotomy site. Once thecorrect position of the surgical guide is established, the movable postis pressed downward to engage the bottom face of the apical end with thejaw bone thereby marking the location of the osteotomy site.

In still another exemplary embodiment, the prefabricated dental implantsurgical guide comprises a number of anatomically correct tooth forms asa unitary surgical guide. In this case, for example and withoutlimitation, a number of tooth forms can be connected and tried into aseries of side by side osteotomy sites as a unit. This allows multipledental implants to be placed side by side with verification of properlocation, angulation, and rotational position.

Thus various embodiments improve the dental implant placement processand allow for proper placement of a dental implant subsequent toosteotomy site preparation. Embodiments act as a prefabricated surgicalguide and improve the placement of a dental implant. Embodiments furtherallow sequential placement of individual prefabricated implant surgicalguides to develop sequential osteotomy sites for subsequent multipleside by side implant placement during dental implant placement surgery.Additional embodiments use unitary multi-tooth prefabricated implantsurgical guides during dental implant placement surgery where more thanone tooth is to be replaced with a dental implant. Other embodiments usea prefabricated dental implant surgical guide having adjustable apicalposts for use with deepening osteotomy sites.

These and other embodiments will be come apparent to those skilled inthe art upon review of the detailed description that follows.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGS. 1 a, 1 b, and 1 c illustrate a prefabricated dental implantsurgical guide configured as a tooth with a static post.

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b illustrate another embodiment of a prefabricateddental implant surgical guide converted to and also used as an interimcrown with posts that are removable.

FIGS. 3 a, 3 b, 3 c and 3 d illustrate a prefabricated dental implantsurgical guide as a series of tooth shapes having graduated postlengths.

FIG. 4 a, 4 b and 4 c and 4 d illustrate another embodiment as aprefabricated dental implant surgical guide having a central bore withan adjustable, removable post.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 a-c, 2 a-b,3 a-d and 4 a-d being used in a multiple side by side format.

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment as a one piece multiple unitsurgical guide.

FIGS. 7 a-c illustrates an embodiment for the purpose of marking andidentifying an osteotomy site.

FIGS. 8 a-c illustrates another embodiment for the purpose of markingand identifying an osteotomy site.

FIG. 9 a-c illustrates another embodiment for the purpose of marking andidentifying an osteotomy site.

FIGS. 10 a-c illustrates another embodiment for the purpose of markingand identifying an osteotomy site.

FIGS. 11 a-c illustrates another embodiment for the purpose of markingand identifying an osteotomy site.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As noted above, the present invention comprises a method and apparatusfor insuring correct placement of dental implants during the surgicalplacement process. Referring now to FIGS. 1 a, 1 b, and 1 c, theprefabricated dental implant surgical guide configured as a surgicalguide with a tooth-shaped configuration with a post affixed to itsapical end is illustrated. The guide can be made of metal, plastic,acrylic, porcelain or some other material known to those of skill in thedental arts. Such materials will be collectively referred to herein as“dental material.” This exemplary embodiment is placed into an initialosteotomy site at the time of implant placement surgery, prior toimplant body placement to ensure and or to correct the proper location,angulation, and rotational position of the implant body.

FIGS. 1 a, 1 b, and 1 c illustrate the dental implant aid in anexemplary alternative embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1 a, the dentalimplant aid, generally referred to as 40 in this figure, is configuredas a one piece surgical guide with a tooth-shaped configuration 42. Thetooth shaped configuration 42 is further defined by its anatomicalcomponents, i.e. the incisal edge (for an anterior tooth) or occlusaltable (for a posterior tooth) 30, facial contour 31, lingual contour 32,interproximal aspect 33 and apical aspect 34. Affixed to the apical endof tooth configuration 42 is collar 45 which has apical post 44extending above it. Affixed to the coronal end of tooth-shapedconfiguration 42 is a protruding post which acts as finger grip 43. Thusthe surgical guide 40 can be held in the mouth and the tooth-shapedcomponent 42 of guide 40 can be seen clearly by the surgeon during thecourse of surgery with out the surgeon's fingers obscuring the view.

This tooth-shaped configuration 42 can be represented by any tooth shapefound in the mouth (central incisors, lateral incisors, cuspids,premolars, and molars of both the upper and lower jaws) and cantherefore be used as a surgical guide to verify implant body placementwith respect to any tooth and its corresponding position in the mouthprior to implant placement. For example, FIG. 1 b represents a jaw bone48 to which an osteotomy site 46 (a surgical procedure in which bone iscut or prepared for the placement of an implant) has been prepared injaw bone 48. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 b and 1 c, by holding finger grip43, the apical post 44 of implant surgical guide 40 is placed into theosteotomy site 46 so that collar 45 of implant surgical 40 rests againstjaw bone 48 at the opening of osteotomy site 46. This is done at thetime of implant placement surgery, but prior to implant body placement.

By using existing intra-oral guidelines as a reference (i.e. adjacentteeth 50, lips, shape of the arch as but several examples), the toothcontour 42 and its corresponding anatomic components of implant surgicalguide 40 with apical post 44 in osteotomy site 46, can be used to verifyand/or correct the proper location, angulation, and rotational positionof any implant body and it's corresponding system prior to it'sinsertion. This is accomplished by comparing the location, angulation,and position of the tooth shape-contour 42 and its correspondinganatomic components of the implant surgical guide 40 with some facialand/or intra-oral guideline or reference such as the adjacent teeth,gingiva, shape of the arch and lips, face etc., while apical post 44 ofimplant surgical guide 40 is engaged in osteotomy site 46.

Verification of osteotomy site position, angulation, location,subsequent proper implant location and placement and proper prosthesislocation, requires the tooth contour aspect 42 of implant surgical guide40 be in proper alignment with the facial and or intra-oral guide linesor references previously noted. This alignment is verified by comparingthe position of the anatomic components of tooth contour 42, forexample, the incisal edge (for an anterior tooth) or occlusal table (fora posterior tooth) 30, facial contour 31, lingual contour 32,interproximal aspect 33 and apical aspect 34 of tooth contour 42 of thesurgical guide 40 while engaged in the mouth with facial and or intra-oral references previously noted.

If the alignment of the anatomic components of tooth contour 42 ofsurgical guide 40 are in harmony with and are symmetrical to the facialand or intra-oral references previously noted, osteotomy site location,position and angulation are verified, and osteotomy site and subsequentimplant placement can be completed.

If there is disharmony and/or an asymmetrical position of the anatomiccomponents of tooth contour 42 of the implant surgical guide 40 is notedwith respect to the facial and or intra-oral references previouslynoted, a correction as to position and location can be made and verifiedprior to final implant placement.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, not only candifferent tooth shapes be represented, but also different sizes of toothcontour 42 of the prefabricated dental implant surgical guide 40 can beused to conform to the size teeth and arch form of the dental implantpatient.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 a and 2 b, another alternate embodimentgenerally referred to as 51 is illustrated. In this embodiment, theprefabricated implant surgical guide is made of a dental material sothat once implant placement has been verified and the implant body hasbeen placed, either at the time of surgery or at a later date subsequentto healing, the surgical guide can be converted to a provisional crownas illustrated in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b.

Referring again to FIG. 2 a, apical post 24 of implant guide 51 having acollar 25 is placed into osteotomy site 46 of jaw bone 48 to verifyproper implant location and angulation prior to implant body placementas previously described in FIGS. 1 a-c.

Referring now to FIG. 2 b, implant body 52 is shown having been placedinto jaw bone 48. At the time of surgery or subsequent to surgicalhealing, the finger grip 23 and apical post 24 of implant surgical guide51 are removed via a cutting procedure known in the art. The toothcontour 22 of implant surgical guide 51 is then hollowed out so that aconcavity 26 is formed on the internal aspect 27 of tooth contour 22 ofimplant guide 51. At the time of surgery or subsequent to surgicalhealing utilizing either a 2-stage, 2-piece implant system, a one-stage,2-piece implant system or a one piece, one-stage implant system, theconcavity 26 of internal aspect 27 of tooth contour 22 of implant guide51 is relined with a dental provisional material, known to those in theart (for example and without limitation, acrylic) to the abutment aspect54 of implant body 52 to create a custom fitting, retentive provisionalcrown which can then be either cemented into place with some provisionaldental cement (for example and without limitation zinc oxide-eugenol))or screw retained.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 a, 3 b, 3 c and 3 d, another embodiment of theprefabricated implant surgical guide, herein referred to as 53 havingseparate graduated apical post lengths is illustrated. In thisembodiment, implant guide 53 exists in a multiple set format with apicalposts 13, 15, and 17, connected to tooth contours 12, 14, and 16respectively via collars 7, 9, and 11 respectively. Tooth contours 12,14 and 16 are further defined by their anatomical components, that is,the incisal edge (for an anterior tooth) or occlusal table (for aposterior tooth ) 1 a, 1 b and 1 c respectively, facial contours 2 a, 2b and 2 c respectively, lingual contours 3 a, 3 b, and 3 c respectively,interproximal aspects 4 a, 4 b and 4 c respectively and apical aspects 5a, 5 b and 5 c respectively.

The tooth-shaped configurations 12, 14 and 16 can be represented in theform of any tooth shape found in the mouth (central incisors, lateralincisors, cuspids, premolars, and molars of both the upper and lowerjaws) and can therefore be used as a surgical guide to verify implantbody placement with respect to any tooth and its corresponding positionin the mouth prior to implant placement.

Apical posts 13, 15, and 17 increase in length to be used as describedin FIGS. 3 a, 3 b, 3 c and 3 d. Finger grips 6, 8, and 10, respectivelyallow for manipulation of the surgical guide during the surgical implantplacement procedure.

Referring now to FIG. 3 b, the use of the embodiment of FIG. 3 a isillustrated. An initial oseotomy site 46 of minimum depth is preparedinto jaw bone 48. By placing implant guide 53 with the shortest apicalpost 13 first into initial osteotomy site 46, an initial and preliminaryevaluation as to proper implant position, location and angulation can bedone. At this time, verification and or correction to the initialosteotomy site 46 can be done with minimal trauma to jaw bone 48. Thisis accomplished by comparing the location, angulation and position ofthe tooth shape-contour 12 of the surgical guide 53 with some facialand/or intra-oral guideline or reference such as the adjacent teeth,gingiva, shape of the arch and lips, face etc. with apical post 13 ofsurgical guide 53 engaged in osteotomy site 46.

To verify osteotomy site position, angulation, location, subsequentproper implant location, angulation and placement and ultimately properprosthesis location, requires the tooth contour aspect 12 of implantsurgical guide 53 be in proper alignment with the facial and orintra-oral guide lines or references previously stated. This alignmentis verified by comparing the anatomic components of tooth contour 12,that being the incisal edge or occlusal table 1 a, facial contour 2 a,lingual contour 3 a, interproximal aspect 4 a and apical aspect 5 a oftooth contour 12 of surgical guide 53 while engaged in the mouth withfacial and or intra-oral references previously noted.

If the alignment of the anatomic components of tooth contour aspect 12of surgical guide 53 are in harmony with and are symmetrical to thefacial and or intra-oral references previously noted, osteotomy sitelocation, position and angulation are verified and osteotomy site andsubsequent implant placement can be completed.

If there is disharmony and or an asymmetrical position of the anatomiccomponents of tooth contour aspect 12 of implant surgical guide 53 isnoted with respect to the facial and or intra-oral references previouslynoted, a correction as to position, angulation and location of theosteotomy site can be made and verified prior to final implantplacement.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 c and 3 d, as the osteotomy site 46 isdeepened and developed, the implant guide 53 with the increasing apicalpost lengths 15 and 17 can be tried into deepening osteotomy site 46 tofurther verify and or to correct the position and or angulation ofosteotomy site 46 prior to final implant body placement. This isaccomplished by comparing the position of tooth contours 12, 14, and 16(as the osteotomy site is deepened) of guide 53 with some other facialor intra-oral reference point (i.e. other teeth, gingiva, shape of thearch, lips, face, etc.) with posts 13, 15, and 17 of guide 53sequentially engaged in osteotomy site 46. This verification process isaccomplished as previously described in FIG. 3 b. In this fashion,osteotomy site 46 is gradually prepared (deepened) and continuouslyverified during the preparation process to ensure accuracy in finallocation, angulation and position of the implant body and finalprosthesis prior to its placement.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 a, 4 b, 4 c and 4 d, yet another embodiment ofthe prefabricated dental implant surgical guide generally referred to as70 is illustrated. Implant surgical guide 70 comprises a tooth contour62, collar 65, finger grip 63 and apical post 64. The tooth shapedcontour 62 is further defined by its anatomical components: the incisaledge (for an anterior tooth) or occlusal table (for a posterior tooth)61, facial contour 58, lingual contour 66, interproximal aspect 69 andapical aspect 71.

The tooth-shaped contour 62 can be represented by any tooth shape foundin the mouth (central incisors, lateral incisors, cuspids, premolars,and molars of both the upper and lower jaws) and can therefore be usedas a surgical guide to verify implant body placement with respect to anytooth and its corresponding position in the mouth prior to implantplacement.

In this embodiment, the surgical guide 70 has a central bore 60 whichextends the entire length of guide 70 (through tooth contour 62 andcollar 65). This central bore 60 can be either smooth or threaded. Anadjustable and removable post generally referred to as 67, comprises acentral portion 68 which is located in central bore 60, finger gripportion 63 that extends beyond the coronal end of guide 70 and apicalpost portion 64 that extends beyond the apical end of guide 70. Thecentral post portion 68 of post 67 remains in the central bore 60.Central post portion 68 and central bore 60 can be either smooth orthreaded. If smooth, central post portion 68 of post 67 may be pushedthrough the central bore 60 thereby adjusting the length of apical post64. If threaded, central post portion 68 of post 67 may be turnedthrough central bore 60 thereby adjusting the length of apical post 64.In this fashion apical post portion 64 of adjustable removable post 67can be adjusted and made shorter or longer to fit into a developingosteotomy site 46 to verify or correct final implant body location,position and angulation in jaw bone 48 prior to implant body placement.

During this process, as in other embodiments described above, properimplant location and position can be verified by comparing the positionof tooth contour 62 of guide 70 with some other facial or intra-oralreference point (i.e. other teeth, gingiva, shape of the arch, lips,face, etc.) with apical post 64 of guide 70 engaged in osteotomy site46.

Referring now to FIG. 4 b, an osteotomy site is identified, and aninitial osteotomy site 46 of minimum depth is prepared in jaw bone 48.Surgical guide 70 is placed over osteotomy site 46. Finger grip portion63 of adjustable, removable post 67 is pushed or turned so that centralpost portion 68 of adjustable, removable post 67 moves through centralbore 60 increasing the length of apical post portion 64 of adjustable,removable post 67 until it engages the base 49 of osteotomy site 46. Bycomparing the position of tooth contour 62 of guide 70 with some otherfacial or intra-oral reference point (i.e. other teeth 50, gingiva,shape of the arch, lips, face, etc.), with apical post portion 64 ofadjustable, removable post 67 of guide 70 engaged in osteotomy site 46,an initial verification or correction of position and or angulation ofosteotomy site 46 can be done with minimal trauma to jaw bone 48.

This is accomplished by comparing the location, angulation and positionof the tooth shape-contour 62 of the surgical guide 70 with some facialand/or intra-oral guidelines or references such as the adjacent teeth,gingiva, shape of the arch and lips etc. with apical post 64 of surgicalguide 70 engaged in osteotomy site 46.

To verify osteotomy site position, angulation, location, subsequentproper implant location, angulation and placement and ultimately properprosthesis location, requires tooth contour 62 of prefabricated dentalimplant surgical guide 70 be in proper alignment with the facial and orintra-oral guide lines or references previously stated. This alignmentis verified by comparing the anatomic components of tooth contour 62,that being the incisal edge or occlusal table 61, facial contour 58,lingual contour 66, interproximal aspect 69 and apical aspect 71 oftooth contour 62 of surgical guide 70 while engaged in the mouth, withfacial and or intra-oral references previously stated.

If the alignment of the anatomic components of tooth contour aspect 62of surgical guide 70 are in harmony with and are symmetrical to thefacial and or intra-oral references previously noted, osteotomy sitelocation, position and angulation are verified and osteotomy site andsubsequent implant placement can be completed.

If there is disharmony and or an asymmetrical position of the anatomiccomponents of tooth contour 62 of implant surgical guide 70 is notedwith respect to the facial and or intra-oral references previouslynoted, a correction as to position and location can be made and verifiedprior to final implant placement.

Referring now to FIG. 4 c, as osteotomy site 46 is further deepened,guide 70 can repeatedly be placed over osteotomy site 46, with apicalpost portion 64 of adjustable, removable post 67 further lengthened intoosteotomy site 46 by turning or pushing finger grip portion 63 ofadjustable, removable post 67 (See FIG. 4 a) to move central postportion 68 of adjustable, removable post 67 thru central bore 60, thusproviding a means of continuous verification and or correction ofposition and or angulation of osteotomy site 46 prior to final implantbody placement. Again, this is accomplished by comparing the position oftooth contour 62 of guide 70 with some other facial and or intra-oralreference point (i.e. other teeth 50, gingiva, shape of the arch, lips,face, etc.) with apical post portion 64 of adjustable, removable post 67of guide 70 engaged in osteotomy site 46. This verification process isaccomplished as previously described in FIG. 4 b.

Referring now to FIG. 4 d, adjustable, removable post 67 can be removedfrom surgical guide 70. Surgical guide 70 can be held in place in themouth at osteotomy site 46 with a buccal and or lingual finger grip 45.By stabilizing guide 70 with buccal and or lingual finger grip 45,osteotomy bur 47 attached to surgical drill 59 can be placed thrucentral bore 60 of tooth contour 62 of implant guide 70 and activatedallowing further preparation and continuous verification of osteotomysite 46 with surgical guide 70 in place in the mouth.

This verification process is accomplished as previously described inFIG. 4 b.

As more fully explained below, in another embodiment, a bottom face ofthe apical end of the movable post comprises a marking agent. In thisembodiment, the prefabricated dental implant surgical guide is placed ina desired position on the jaw bone at a proposed osteotomy site before ahole is drilled. Once the correct position and location of the osteotomysite is established, the movable post is pressed downward to engage thebottom face of the apical end with the jaw bone thereby marking thelocation of the osteotomy site.

Referring now to FIG. 5, embodiments as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 isdescribed when placing multiple implants in a side by side format.Initial osteotomy sites 46 a-c are identified, made and verified intojaw bone 48 as previously described. As an example, the most mesialosteotomy site 46 a could be prepared and verified or corrected aspreviously described. Leaving the implant guide 40 a in place, the nextimplant osteotomy site 46 b can be prepared and verified or corrected aspreviously described. Now, leaving that implant guide 40 b in place,another osteotomy site 46 c can be prepared with implant guide 40 c putin its place and verified or corrected as previously described. Thistype of verification process can be used to place implants side by sidein a partially edentulous arch and or in a continuous fashion all theway around a completely edentulous arch. Thus all potential multi-unitside by side implant sites can be properly and accurately prepared,verified and or corrected prior to implant body placement.

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention generallyreferred to as 72. In this embodiment, the surgical guide is formattedas a one piece, multi-unit surgical guide having tooth contours 72 a, 72b, and 72 c. Affixed to these tooth contours are collars 75 a, 75 b, and75 c, apical posts 74 a, 74 b, and 74 c respectively, and correspondingfinger grips 73 a, 73 b, and 73 c respectively. The purpose of thisembodiment is to guide the placement of multiple, side by side implantsin a multi tooth edentulous site. Although formatted as such, guide 72can be fabricated and used as described in FIGS. 1-4. In thisembodiment, a proper guide size 72 and corresponding contour would bechosen that corresponds to the size and location of the edentulous site.Multiple initial osteotomy sites 46 a-c would be made in jaw bone 48with apical posts 74 a, 74 b, and 74 c tried in osteotomy sites 46 a-cto verify and or correct position, angulation and location of osteotomysites 46 a-c prior to implant body placement as previously described inFIGS. 1-4.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the multi-unitsurgical guide may use movable (adjustable) posts as previouslydescribed in place of the fixed posts illustrated in FIG. 6.

Thus the embodiments as described may be used to guide the placement ofdental implants in a single tooth format, multi tooth format and fullyedentulous format.

Referring now to FIG. 7 a, another embodiment of the prefabricateddental implant surgical guide 40 is illustrated. Surgical guide 40 asdepicted in FIG. 1 a, has fixed apical post 44 with bottom end face 75and marking agent 77 on it for the purpose of marking and identifying anosteotomy site 46.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 b and 7 c use of the embodiment of FIG. 7 a isillustrated. By holding coronal post 43 and by using tooth shapedcontour 42 as a guide as previously described, osteotomy site 46 in jawbone 48 can be located and demarcated by pressing end face 75 withmarking agent 77 of fixed apical post 44 on top of jaw bone 48 leaving amark denoting the osteotomy site 46. Osteotomy bur 47 of surgical drill59 can then be used to initiate osteotomy site preparation. Furtherpreparation, verification and completion of the osteotomy site 46 viadrill 59 can then be accomplished as previously described in FIGS. 1 band 1 c.

Referring now to FIG. 8 a, another embodiment of the prefabricateddental implant surgical guide 51 is illustrated. In this embodiment,surgical guide 51, comprises a fixed apical post 24 with bottom end face85 and marking agent 87 on it for the purpose of marking and identifyingan osteotomy site 46.

Referring now to FIG. 8 b and 8 c, by holding coronal post 23 and byusing tooth shaped contour 22 as a guide as previously described,osteotomy site 46 in jaw bone 48 can be located and demarcated bypressing bottom end face 85 with marking agent 87 of fixed apical post24 on top of jaw bone 48 leaving a mark denoting the osteotomy site 46.Osteotomy bur 47 of surgical drill 59 can then be used to initiateosteotomy site preparation. Subsequent to osteotomy site preparation andimplant placement, the tooth shaped contour 22 of guide 51 can beconverted to a provisional crown (immediate or delayed) as previouslydescribed in FIG. 2 b.

Referring now to FIG. 9 a, yet another embodiment of the prefabricateddental implant surgical guide 53 is illustrated. Surgical guide 53comprises a fixed apical post 13 with bottom end face 95 and markingagent 97 on it for the purpose of marking and identifying an osteotomysite 46.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 b and 9 c, use of the surgical guide 53 isillustrated. By holding coronal post 6 and by using tooth shaped contour12 as a guide as previously described, osteotomy site 46 in jaw bone 48can be located and demarcated by pressing end face 95 with marking agent97 of fixed apical post 13 on top of jaw bone 48 leaving a mark denotingthe osteotomy site 46. Osteotomy bur 47 of surgical drill 59 can then beused to initiate osteotomy site preparation. Further preparation,verification and completion of the osteotomy site 46 can then beaccomplished as previously described in FIGS. 3 b, 3 c and 3 d.

Referring now to FIG. 10 a, another embodiment of prefabricated dentalimplant surgical guide 70 is illustrated. Surgical guide 70 comprises anadjustable removable post 67 with apical post aspect 64 with a bottomend face 102, and marking agent 104 on it for the purpose of marking andidentifying an osteotomy site 46.

Referring to FIGS. 10 b and 10 c, use of the prefabricated dentalimplant surgical guide is illustrated. By pushing or turning coronalpost 63 of adjustable removable post 67 so that central post portion 68moves through central bore 60, thereby lengthening apical post portion64 and by using tooth shaped contour 62 as a guide as previouslydescribed, osteotomy site 46 in jaw bone 48 can be located anddemarcated by pressing end face 102 with marking agent 104 of apicalpost aspect 64 of adjustable removable post 67 on top of jaw bone 48leaving a mark denoting the osteotomy site 46. Osteotomy bur 47 ofsurgical drill 59 can then be used to initiate osteotomy sitepreparation. Further preparation, verification and completion of theosteotomy site can then be accomplished as previously described in FIGS.4 b, 4 c and 4 d.

Referring now to FIG. 11 a, still another embodiment of prefabricateddental implant surgical guide 72 is illustrated. The multi unit onepiece surgical guide 72 comprises fixed apical posts 74 a, 74 b, and 74c with bottom end faces 109 a, 109 b and 109 c and with marking agents110A, 110 b, and 110 c on them for the purpose of marking andidentifying an osteotomy sites 46 a, 46 b and 46 c.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 b and 11 c, use of the prefabricated dentalimplant surgical guide is illustrated. By holding coronal posts 73 a, 73b and or 73 c and by using tooth shaped contour 72 a, 72 b and 72 c as aguide as previously described, osteotomy sites 46 a, 46 b and 46 c injaw bone 48 can be located and demarcated by pressing end faces 109 a,109 b and 109 c with marking agents 110 a, 110 b and 110 c of fixedapical posts 74 a, 74 b and 74 c on top of jaw bone 48 leaving marksdenoting the osteotomy sites 46 a, 46 b and 46 c. Osteotomy bur 47 ofsurgical drill 59 can then be used to initiate osteotomy sitepreparations. Further preparation, verification and completion of theosteotomy sites can then be accomplished as previously described inFIGS. 1-4.

A method and apparatus for using a prefabricated implant surgical guideduring dental implant placement surgery has now been illustrated. Itwill also be understood that the invention may be embodied in otherspecific forms without departing from the scope of the inventiondisclosed and that the examples and embodiments described herein are inall respects illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the artof the present invention will recognize that other embodiments using theconcepts described herein are also possible. Further, any reference toclaim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,”“an,” or “the” is not to be construed as limiting the element to thesingular.

1. A prefabricated dental implant surgical guide comprising: atooth-shaped body having an apical end and coronal end; a post affixedto the apical end of the tooth-shaped body; and wherein the apical endpost is dimensioned to fit within a hole created by a surgical drillduring an implant osteotomy site preparation procedure; and whereuponinsertion of the apical end post into the implant osteotomy site, aproper positional, rotational and angular alignment of the implant tothe osteotomy site is verified.
 2. The prefabricated dental implantsurgical guide of claim 1, wherein the apical end post comprises alength approximating a finished depth of the osteotomy site.
 3. Theprefabricated dental implant surgical guide of claim 1 furthercomprising a coronal post affixed to the coronal end of the tooth-shapedbody, wherein the coronal post is adapted for positioning thetooth-shaped body and the apical post of the implant surgical guide intothe implant osteotomy site.
 4. The prefabricated dental implant surgicalguide of claim 1, wherein the shape of the tooth-shaped body is selectedfrom the group consisting of a central incisor shape, a lateral incisorshape, a cuspid shape, a premolar shape, and a molar shape of both upperand lower jaws.
 5. The prefabricated dental implant surgical guide ofclaim 1, wherein the apical end post and coronal end post posts areremovable from the tooth-shaped body of the surgical guide therebyallowing the tooth-shaped body to be adapted to an abutment aspect of adental implant, thereby serving as an interim (provisional) crown. 6.The prefabricated dental implant surgical guide of claim 1, wherein theapical end post comprises a bottom face, the bottom face furthercomprising a marking agent for marking and locating an initial implantosteotomy site.
 7. The prefabricated dental implant surgical guide ofclaim 1 wherein the tooth-shaped body comprises a plurality oftooth-shaped bodies joined together to form a single unit having acorresponding plurality of apical and coronal ends, each apical andcoronal end comprising corresponding apical and coronal end postsdimensioned to fit within a corresponding plurality of holes createdduring preparation of a corresponding plurality of osteotomy sites. 8.The prefabricated dental implant guide of claim 7 wherein each apicalend post comprises a length approximating a finished depth of each ofthe corresponding plurality of holes created during preparation of acorresponding plurality of osteotomy sites.
 9. The prefabricated dentalimplant guide of claim 7 wherein each coronal end post is adapted forpositioning each of the plurality of tooth-shaped bodies and associatedplurality of apical end posts into the plurality of holes created duringpreparation of a corresponding plurality of osteotomy sites.
 10. Theprefabricated dental implant guide of claim 7 wherein each of theplurality of apical and coronal end posts are removable from theplurality of tooth-shaped bodies thereby allowing the tooth-shapedbodies to be adapted to the abutment aspect of a dental implant to serveas an interim or provisional crowns.
 11. The prefabricated dentalimplant guide of claim 7 wherein the shape of each of the plurality oftooth-shaped bodies is selected from the group consisting of a centralincisor shape, a lateral incisor shape, a cuspid shape, a premolarshape, and a molar shape of an upper and lower jaw.
 12. Theprefabricated dental implant surgical guide of claim 1 wherein theprefabricated dental implant surgical guide comprises a plurality oftooth-shaped bodies each having a corresponding apical and coronal end,each apical and coronal end comprising corresponding apical and coronalend posts, and wherein the apical end posts are graduated in length anddimensioned to fit sequentially within the hole created duringpreparation of the osteotomy site as the osteotomy site is deepened anddeveloped.
 13. The prefabricated dental implant surgical guide of claim12 wherein the plurality of tooth-shaped bodies is selected from thegroup consisting of a central incisor shape, a lateral incisor shape, acuspid shape, a premolar shape, and a molar shape of both upper andlower jaws.
 14. A prefabricated dental implant surgical guidecomprising: a tooth-shaped body, wherein the tooth-shaped body comprisesa central bore along an axis extending from a center of an apical endthrough a center of a coronal end; and a post located in the bore,wherein the post comprises a post apical end extending beyond the apicalend of the tooth-shaped body, and a post coronal end extending beyondthe coronal end of the tooth-shaped body and wherein the post isadjustable by moving the post along the axis of the central bore and;wherein the post apical end is adjusted thereby extending the postapical end to a hole created by a surgical drill during an osteotomysite preparation procedure; and whereupon insertion of the post apicalend in to the osteotomy site, a proper positional, rotational andangular alignment of the implant to the osteotomy site is verified. 15.The prefabricated dental implant surgical guide of claim 14, wherein thepost coronal end is adapted for positioning the tooth-shaped body andapical post end of the surgical guide into the osteotomy site.
 16. Theprefabricated dental implant surgical guide of claim 14, wherein theadjustable removable post is smooth and the bore is smooth.
 17. Theprefabricated dental implant surgical guide of claim 14, wherein theadjustable removable post is threaded and the bore is threaded.
 18. Theprefabricated dental implant surgical guide of claim 14, wherein theadjustable removable post is removable and wherein an implant osteotomydrill can be placed within the central bore to initiate an osteotomysite preparation.
 19. The prefabricated dental implant surgical guide ofclaim 14 further comprising a buccal and or lingual handle on thetooth-shaped body adapted to stabilize the tooth-shaped body duringosteotomy site preparation thru the central bore.
 20. The prefabricateddental implant surgical guide of claim 18 wherein the adjustableremovable post can be interchanged with the osteotomy drill tocontinuously verify implant osteotomy site location and angulationduring the osteotomy preparation process.
 21. The prefabricated dentalimplant surgical guide of claim 14, wherein the adjustable removablepost is removable from the tooth-shaped body of the surgical guide,allowing the tooth-shaped body to be adapted to the abutment aspect of adental implant and thereby serve as an interim (provisional) crown. 22.The prefabricated dental implant surgical guide of claim 14, wherein theshape of the tooth-shaped body is selected from the group consisting ofa central incisor shape, a lateral incisor shape, a cuspid shape, apremolar shape, and a molar shape of both upper and lower jaws.
 23. Theprefabricated dental implant surgical guide of claim 14, wherein theapical end post comprises a bottom face comprising a marking agent formarking and locating an initial osteotomy drill site.
 24. Theprefabricated dental implant guide of claim 14 wherein the tooth-shapedbody comprises: a plurality of tooth-shaped bodies joined together toform a single unit having a corresponding plurality of apical andcoronal ends; and wherein each of the plurality of tooth-shaped bodiescomprises a corresponding central bore and an adjustable removable posttherethrough; and wherein each adjustable removable post is dimensionedto fit within the associated central bore; and wherein each adjustableremovable post is dimensioned to fit within a corresponding plurality ofholes created during the osteotomy site preparation process.
 25. Theprefabricated dental implant guide of claim 24 wherein each of theplurality of adjustable removable posts comprises an apical lengthapproximating a finished depth of each of the plurality of holes createdduring the osteotomy site preparation process.
 26. The prefabricateddental implant guide of claim 24 wherein each of the plurality ofadjustable removable posts further comprises a coronal end adapted forpositioning each tooth-shaped body and apical end into each of thecorresponding plurality of holes created during the osteotomy sitepreparation process.
 27. The prefabricated dental implant guide of claim24 wherein each of the adjustable removable posts are removable fromeach of the tooth-shaped bodies thereby allowing an osteotomy drill topass thru the plurality of central bores thereby allowing initial and orfurther osteotomy site development.
 28. The prefabricated dental implantguide of claim 24 wherein each of the adjustable removable posts areremovable from the tooth-shaped body thereby allowing each of thetooth-shaped bodies to be adapted to the abutment aspect of dentalimplants to serve as interim or provisional crowns or as a bridge. 29.The prefabricated dental implant guide of claim 24 wherein the shape ofeach of the plurality of tooth-shaped bodies is selected from the groupconsisting of a central incisor shape, a lateral incisor shape, a cuspidshape, a premolar shape, and a molar shape of an upper and lower jaw.30. A method for dental implant surgery comprising: placing aprefabricated implant surgical guide in the mouth of a recipient at theimplant site; the prefabricated implant surgical guide comprising atooth-shaped body having an apical end and coronal end; and a postaffixed to the apical end of the tooth-shaped body, the apical end postcomprising a bottom face and a marking agent on the bottom face; markingan implant osteotomy site via the marking agent on the bottom face ofthe apical post; drilling a hole at the osteotomy site to an initialdepth; placing the prefabricated implant surgical guide apical end intothe hole at the osteotomy site, wherein the apical end post isdimensioned to fit within the hole of the osteotomy site; and verifyingthe positional and angular alignment of the osteotomy site uponinsertion of the apical end post into the hole of the osteotomy site.31. The method for dental implant surgery of claim 30, wherein theapical end post comprises a length approximating a finished depth of theosteotomy site.
 32. The method for dental implant surgery of claim 30,wherein verifying the alignment of the osteotomy site comprisesverifying the proper location, angulation, and rotational position ofthe implant body prior to its placement, by comparing the tooth-shapedcontour of the prefabricated dental implant surgical guide to otherdental features of a patient, with the apical end post of the surgicalguide engaged in the osteotomy site.
 33. The method for dental implantsurgery of claim 30 wherein: drilling the hole at the osteotomy sitecomprises drilling a hole to an extended depth, wherein the extendeddepth is greater than the initial depth; placing a subsequentprefabricated implant surgical guide having an apical end post into theextended hole of the osteotomy site, wherein the subsequent apical endpost is dimensioned to fit to the extended depth of the extended hole ofthe osteotomy site; and verifying the alignment of the extended hole ofthe osteotomy site upon insertion of the subsequent apical end post intothe hole of the osteotomy site by comparing the tooth-shaped aspect ofthe implant guide to other dental features of the patient.
 34. Themethod for dental implant surgery of claim 30, wherein the methodfurther comprises: removing the apical and coronal end posts from thetooth-shaped body; modifying the tooth-shaped body by hollowing orforming a concavity on the internal aspect of the tooth-shaped body andrelining the tooth-shaped body with dental material and attaching themodified tooth-shaped body of the surgical guide on to the abutmentaspect of an implant body installed in the hole at the osteotomy siteusing removable fastening means, thereby allowing the tooth-shaped bodyto serve as an interim provisional crown.
 35. The method for dentalimplant surgery of claim 30, wherein the tooth-shaped body is selectedfrom the group consisting of a central incisor shape, a lateral incisorshape, a cuspid shape, a premolar shape, and a molar shape of an upperand lower jaw.
 36. The method for dental implant surgery of claim 30,wherein verifying the alignment of the osteotomy site comprisesreferencing the location, angulation and rotational position of thetooth-shaped contour of the surgical guide with the apical post engagedin the osteotomy site, to other dental features of a patient.
 37. Themethod for dental implant surgery of claim 30, further comprisingplacing the tooth-shaped body apical end at a proposed osteotomy site,causing the bottom face of the apical post to contact a jaw bone at theproposed osteotomy site thereby marking a drill site at the osteotomysite with the marking agent.
 38. The method for dental implant surgeryof claim 30 wherein the tooth-shaped body comprises a plurality ofattached tooth-shaped bodies each comprising a tooth-shaped body havingan apical end and coronal end; and a post affixed to the apical end ofeach tooth-shaped body, each of the apical end posts comprising a bottomface and a marking agent on the bottom face; marking a plurality ofimplant osteotomy sites via the marking agent on the bottom face of eachof the plurality apical end posts; drilling a corresponding plurality ofholes at a corresponding plurality of osteotomy sites to an initialdepth; placing each of the tooth-shaped body apical end posts into theholes at the osteotomy sites, wherein each apical end post isdimensioned to fit within the holes of the osteotomy sites; andverifying the positional and angular alignment of the osteotomy sitesupon insertion of the corresponding apical end posts into the holes ofthe osteotomy sites.
 39. The method for dental implant surgery of claim30 wherein verifying the positional and angular alignment of theosteotomy sites comprises verifying the alignment of the first hole atthe first osteotomy site by comparing the tooth-shaped body of theimplant surgical guide position to other dental features of a patient.40. The method for dental implant surgery of claim 30 further comprisingstabilizing a plurality of tooth-shaped bodies in the mouth by joiningthem together and to adjacent teeth with dental material.
 41. The methodfor dental implant surgery of claim 30 further comprising removing theapical and coronal end posts from the plurality of tooth-shaped bodies;modifying the tooth-shaped bodies by hollowing or forming a concavity onthe internal aspect of the tooth-shaped body; relining the internalaspect of the tooth-shaped bodies with dental material; and attachingthe modified tooth-shaped bodies onto the abutment aspect of implantbodies installed in the holes at the osteotomy sites using fasteningmeans, thereby allowing the tooth-shaped bodies to serve as interimprovisional crowns or bridge.
 42. The method for dental implant surgeryof claim 30 wherein the shape of each of the tooth-shaped bodies isselected from the group consisting of a central incisor shape, a lateralincisor shape, a cuspid shape, a premolar shape, and a molar shape of anupper and lower jaw.
 43. The method for dental implant surgery of claim30, wherein verifying the alignment of the holes at the osteotomy sitescomprises verifying the alignment of each of the holes at each of theosteotomy sites by reference to a position of each of the tooth-shapedbodies by comparing each of the tooth-shaped bodies to other dentalfeatures of a patient with the apical posts of the surgical guideengaged in the osteotomy sites.
 44. The method for dental implantsurgery of claim 30 wherein the prefabricated dental implant surgicalguide comprises a plurality of tooth-shaped bodies each having acorresponding apical and coronal end, each apical and coronal endcomprising corresponding apical and coronal end posts, and wherein theapical end posts are graduated in length and dimensioned to fitsequentially within the hole created at the osteotomy site; and whereinplacing the implant surgical guide apical end into the hole at theosteotomy site comprises sequentially placing the tooth-shaped bodieshaving graduated-length apical end posts into the hole created duringpreparation of the osteotomy site as the osteotomy site is deepened anddeveloped; and wherein verifying the positional and angular alignment ofthe osteotomy site comprises sequentially verifying the positional andangular alignment of the osteotomy site upon insertion of each of thegraduated-length apical end post into the hole of the osteotomy site asthe site is deepened and developed.
 45. The method for dental implantsurgery of claim 44 wherein the plurality of tooth-shaped bodies isselected from the group consisting of a central incisor shape, a lateralincisor shape, a cuspid shape, a premolar shape, and a molar shape ofboth upper and lower jaws.
 46. A method for dental implant surgery usinga prefabricated dental implant surgical guide comprising a tooth-shapedbody having an apical end and associated bottom face and a coronal end,the tooth-shaped body comprising a central bore along an axis extendingfrom a center of an apical end through a center of a coronal end and anadjustable and removable post located in the central bore, wherein thepost comprises a post apical end that extends beyond the apical end ofthe tooth-shaped body and a post coronal end that extends beyond thecoronal end of the tooth-shaped body, where in the method comprises:placing the tooth-shaped body in the mouth of a recipient at the implantsite; marking an implant osteotomy site via a marking agent on thebottom face of the apical end of the adjustable post; drilling a hole atan osteotomy site to an initial depth; placing the post apical end intothe hole at the osteotomy site; adjusting the length of the post apicalend to the initial depth of the hole at the osteotomy site bymanipulating the coronal end thereby extending the post apical end tothe initial depth of the hole at the osteotomy site; and verifying thealignment of the hole at the osteotomy site upon insertion of the apicalend post into the hole at the osteotomy site by comparing thetooth-shaped body position of the surgical guide to other dentalfeatures of a patient.
 47. The method for dental implant surgery ofclaim 46, wherein placing the adjustable removable post apical end ofthe tooth-shaped body into the hole at the osteotomy site comprisespositioning the post apical end of the tooth-shaped body into the holeat the site using the coronal end of the adjustable post to position thesurgical guide.
 48. The method for dental implant surgery of claim 46,wherein the adjustable removable post is smooth and the central bore issmooth and wherein adjusting the length of the post apical end to theinitial depth of the hole at the osteotomy site comprises applying aforce to the post coronal end toward the post apical end along the axisof the bore thereby extending the post apical end to the initial depthof the hole at the osteotomy site.
 49. The method for dental implantsurgery of claim 46, wherein the adjustable removable post is threadedand the bore is threaded and wherein adjusting the length of the postapical end to the initial depth of the hole at the osteotomy sitecomprises applying a turning force to the post coronal end therebyextending the post apical end to the initial depth of the hole at theosteotomy site.
 50. The method for dental implant surgery of claim 46further comprising deepening the osteotomy site hole, and verifying thelocation, position and angulation of the osteotomy site by manipulatingthe coronal end of the adjustable removable post, thereby allowing theapical end to engage the depth of the osteotomy site; and comparing thetooth-shaped body position to other dental features of a patient. 51.The method for dental implant surgery of claim 46 further comprising:removing the adjustable removable post from the central bore of thetooth-shaped body; and placing an osteotomy drill placed thru thecentral bore of the tooth-shaped body while the tooth-shaped body isengaged in the mouth of the recipient, thereby allowing initial depthosteotomy site development
 52. The method for dental implant surgery ofclaim 51 further comprising: removing the adjustable removable post fromthe central bore of the tooth-shaped body; and placing an osteotomydrill placed thru the central bore of the tooth-shaped body while thetooth-shaped body is engaged in the mouth of the recipient, therebyallowing further osteotomy site depth development
 53. The method fordental implant surgery of claim 46, the method further comprising:removing the adjustable removable post from the central bore of thetooth-shaped body of the surgical guide; modifying the tooth-shaped bodyby hollowing or forming a concavity on the internal aspect of thetooth-shaped body; relining the internal aspect of the tooth-shaped bodywith dental material; and attaching the modified tooth-shaped body ofthe surgical guide on to the abutment aspect of an implant bodyinstalled in the hole at the osteotomy site using removable fasteningmeans thereby allowing it to serve as an interim provisional crown ineither a delayed or immediate manner.
 54. The method for dental implantsurgery of claim 46, wherein the shape of the tooth-shaped body isselected from the group consisting of a central incisor shape, a lateralincisor shape, a cuspid shape, a premolar shape, and a molar shape of anupper and lower jaw.
 55. The method for dental implant surgery of claim46, wherein verifying the alignment of the hole at the osteotomy sitecomprises verifying the alignment of the hole at the osteotomy site byreference to a position of the tooth-shaped body of the surgical guide,a location of the tooth-shaped body of the surgical guide, an angulationof the tooth-shaped body of the surgical guide, and comparing thetooth-shaped body of the surgical guide while engaged in the mouth toother dental features of a patient.
 56. The method for dental implantsurgery of claim 46, wherein the post apical end comprises a bottomface, and wherein the bottom face comprises a marking agent, and whereinthe method further comprises placing the tooth-shaped body at a proposedosteotomy site so as to cause the bottom face to contact a jaw bone atthe proposed osteotomy site, and marking a drill site at the osteotomysite with the marking agent.